Donald Trump’s Threat to Relocate 2026 World Cup Matches in Boston
Donald Trump has made a bold statement threatening to move World Cup matches scheduled to take place in suburban Boston next year. His comments came after he suggested that certain parts of the city had been “taken over” by unrest. This claim has raised concerns among officials and fans alike, as the 2026 World Cup is set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is home to the NFL’s New England Patriots, is one of the cities chosen to host matches during the tournament. Located about 30 miles from Boston, Foxborough will play a key role in the event. However, Trump’s recent remarks have cast a shadow over the planning process.
During an interview, Trump was asked about Boston’s mayor, Michelle Wu, a Democrat whom he described as “intelligent” but “radical left.” He expressed his dissatisfaction with Wu, stating, “We could take them away.” While he praised the people of Boston and acknowledged that the games are sold out, he criticized Wu, claiming she is not doing a good job.
Trump’s comments were made during a meeting with Argentina President Javier Milei. It remains unclear what specific areas of Boston he was referring to when he mentioned that parts of the city had been “seized.” However, there have been recent incidents of unrest, including violent protests connected to pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Boston Common. These events led to multiple arrests and injuries to four police officers.
The Trump administration has already deployed National Guard troops to Washington and Memphis, and similar efforts in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have resulted in legal battles. This context may have influenced Trump’s recent statements about the safety of hosting the World Cup in Boston.
Despite these concerns, the World Cup host sites are not under Trump’s control. The 11 U.S. cities, along with three in Mexico and two in Canada, are contracted with FIFA. Making changes to the hosting plan would involve significant logistical and legal challenges, especially with only eight months until the June 11 kickoff.
FIFA’s vice president, Victor Montagliani, emphasized that the organization makes all decisions regarding the tournament. He stated, “It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions.” However, Trump has suggested that he could intervene if he feels conditions are unsafe.
“If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there’s unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni – the head of FIFA who’s phenomenal – and I would say, ‘Let’s move into another location’ and they would do that,” Trump said. He referred to FIFA head Gianni Infantino, a close ally, and claimed that while Infantino “wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it very easily.”
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the potential conflict between Trump and FIFA organizers has sparked discussions about the future of the tournament in the United States. With several cities already committed to hosting matches, any changes would require careful consideration and cooperation from all parties involved. The situation highlights the complex relationship between political leaders and international sporting events, where public opinion and security concerns can significantly impact planning and execution.